Are you planning on having a child in 2010? If so, you may want to take some steps to make sure you give yourself every chance of greeting 2011 with a baby (or a baby on the way.)
What can you do to get yourself prepared? Depending upon your situation, there are a number of items you should consider, including the following:
- Stop smoking.
- Stop drinking alcohol.
- Stop taking any illegal drugs.
- Stop taking any prescription drugs (if possible) that may hinder fertility.
- Start (or continue) a moderate exercise program.
- Stop using any form of birth control.
- Get checked for any kind of STDs. (They often have no symptoms and can be an unrealized cause of infertility.)
- If you’ve had infertility problems, get assistance from a reputable reproductive science specialist.
- Eat a diet that’s high in vitamins and lower in saturated fats.
- Try to de-stress whenever possible.
- Start having sex every three days or so (except during menses) to maximize your chances of natural conception.
- If you’ve decided to consider surrogacy, start checking out clinics that can assist you in finding a surrogate.
- Men may want to start wearing boxers. (Some studies have shown that briefs can cause sperm efficacy problems.)
- Males may also want to be careful when using cell phones. (Cell phones placed in laps can possibly affect sperm quality and counts.)
- If you’re considering IVF and you’re employed, you may want to look into your rights when it comes to time off or short term disability leave (if necessary).
- For couples looking to conceive through the donation of a viable egg, it makes sense to connect with a clinic that offers a well-respected egg donor program.
Happy New Year to you! Feel free to contact RSI to help you make your baby dreams a reality!